CES 2026 begins soon: What to expect, how to watch live and key details

CES 2026 begins soon: What to expect, how to watch live and key details

For tech enthusiasts around the world, every new year begins with one of the biggest showcases in the industry – Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This year too, the event has returned in full swing and we are barely a couple of hours away from some big reveals from brands like Lenovo, Asus, Samsung, AMD, Nvidia, and more. Almost all brands show up at the event each year to share what they have in store with the world. CES officially starts from January 6 this year but as usual, the announcements have already started rolling in. Teasers, leaks, and early reveals are everywhere, and by the time the show floor opens in Las Vegas, we will already have a pretty clear idea of what will dominate the busiest week in tech.

Digit.in Survey
✅ Thank you for completing the survey!

Laptops are once again at the centre of the conversation this time. We aren’t talking about the ones equipped with flashy gaming GPUs, but notebooks that quietly signal where computing is headed next. Let’s take a closer look at what we can expect in the world of laptops this time.

Also read: LG to unveil the world’s lightest 17-inch laptop at CES 2026: All we know

Where to watch CES 2026 live

Before we delve deep in the what to expect space, let us tell you how you can catch all the action happening at CES even if you are not in Las Vegas this week. Most of the biggest announcements will be streamed live which means you can catch up from the comfort of your home.

Your best starting point is the official CES website and its video library, where keynote sessions and major presentations are uploaded daily. The CES YouTube channel will also livestream keynotes, brand showcases, and interviews straight from the show floor.

On top of that, companies like Samsung, LG, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Lenovo, Asus, HP and more will be streaming their own events across YouTube and X. In short, if you have a phone and a decent internet connection, CES 2026 will find you.

Now, without further ado, let’s take a look at what we can expect from CES this year.

Intel Panther Lake laptops take centre stage

Intel’s Panther Lake-powered laptops will definitely grab attention at the CES 2026. This is Intel’s first major client processor family built on its 18A process, and the expectations are high. Better efficiency, stronger integrated graphics, and a far bigger focus on on-device AI are some of the features we are all keeping an eye on.

What I am personally watching for is how these chips behave in thin and light machines. Panther Lake is meant to blur the line between performance laptops and everyday ultraportables. If all goes well, 2026 could finally be the year where you do not have to think twice about thermals or fan noise in premium notebooks.

A refined Asus Zenbook Duo could be in store

Dual-screen laptops have always felt exciting and slightly impractical at the same time. Asus has been one of the few brands willing to keep pushing this idea forward, and CES 2026 could be a big moment for the Zenbook Duo. A couple of days back, Asus had shared a teaser about the upcoming laptop and since then, all eyes have been on CES.

The teaser Asus shared focuses less on raw specs and more on durability and usability. A redesigned hinge mechanism, slimmer display bezels, and a more refined keyboard accessory suggest that this is not a wild experiment anymore, but a product that wants to be used every day. The hinted dual battery setup is also a smart move, especially for a laptop that has to power two displays without turning battery anxiety into a lifestyle.

If the Zenbook Duo makes the jump to Intel Panther Lake as expected, this could be one of the most balanced dual-screen laptops we have seen so far. Not just impressive to look at, but genuinely comfortable to live with.

Lenovo’s ARM push with Snapdragon X2 laptops

Windows on ARM has had a long journey and Lenovo seems confident that 2026 is the year things are taken to the next level. Reports have earlier said that the company will showcase a full lineup of Snapdragon X2-powered laptops at CES, ranging from premium ultrabooks to flexible 2-in-1s.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is expected to headline this push, with a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display, a slim and lightweight design, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite chip. On paper, it sounds like the kind of laptop designed for people who care about battery life just as much as performance. Alongside it, the IdeaPad 5x 2-in-1 and Slim 5x models could bring ARM-powered computing to more accessible price points without sacrificing OLED displays or build quality.

What makes this interesting is not just the hardware, but the confidence. These laptops are not being positioned as experiments anymore. They are being pitched as everyday machines, and CES 2026 will be a big test of how ready Windows on ARM really is.

HP OMEN doubles down on OLED gaming laptops

Gaming laptops may not be the loudest part of CES 2026, but HP’s OMEN lineup could still make some serious noise. According to reports, HP is preparing three refreshed models: the OMEN 15, OMEN 16, and the flagship OMEN MAX 16.

The most notable shift here is displays. HP appears to be moving fully to OLED panels across the lineup, with high refresh rates and ultra-fast response times. From a 3K 120Hz panel on the OMEN 15 to a 240Hz OLED on the OMEN MAX 16, this is a big leap from the IPS displays of previous generations.

Under the hood, Panther Lake processors are expected to play a major role, alongside NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs at the higher end. HP is also continuing to push its OMEN AI software, which claims to intelligently boost performance depending on workload.

Lenovo’s rollable gaming laptop

CES is where strange ideas feel at home, and Lenovo’s rumoured rollable gaming laptop might be one of the most fascinating one this year. Unlike earlier rollable concepts focused on productivity, this Legion-branded machine is said to feature a horizontally expanding display that turns into an ultrawide 21:9 panel.

If this works as described, it could completely change how portable gaming laptops are designed. Imagine switching from a standard display to an ultrawide view for racing games or immersive RPGs, all without carrying an external monitor.

Of course, this is still firmly in the rumour stage, and Lenovo has not officially confirmed the device. But CES has a habit of turning bold concepts into real products faster than expected. Even if this laptop does not launch immediately, it shows where manufacturers are willing to experiment next.

CES 2026 already feels like a turning point rather than a spectacle. Less about shock value, more about direction. AI-first chips, ARM laptops that feel confident, OLED displays everywhere, and form factors that finally challenge the clamshell norm. Over the next few days, we will see which of these ideas stick and which quietly disappear. Either way, it is going to be an exciting week.

Also read: Laptops that can turn into tablets: Top 5 touchscreen laptops to buy in 2026

Divyanshi Sharma

Divyanshi Sharma

Divyanshi Sharma is a media and communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the industry. With a strong background in tech journalism, she has covered everything from the latest gadgets to gaming trends and brings a sharp editorial lens to every story. She holds a master’s diploma in mass communication and a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Her love for writing and gaming began early—often skipping classes to try out the latest titles—which naturally evolved into a career at the intersection of technology and storytelling. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her exploring virtual worlds on her console or PC, or testing out a new laptop she managed to get her hands on. View Full Profile

Digit.in
Logo
Digit.in
Logo